I think it's bad lately because I was climbing around some really new climbers, and they would take the chalk ball out of the bag, and smak it against their hands in clean air, instead of keeping their chalk ball in the back and squeezing it...

Does anyone have real info on this? To my knowledge the worst things for the lungs are very fine particulates. Chalk is calcium carbonate which is soluble in water. I would think that while it may be a mild short term irritant, it would not last long or have serious long-term effects. This is just an idea, I do not have facts, anyone?

I don't use chalk so I am certainly the furthest thing from an authority on the subject.

I was talking to the owner of Flashed climbing one day and he attempted to school me on the subject of chalk. The part I do remember is that many brands of chalk contain additive such as additional drying agents which are not only an irritant , but long term exposure could be harmful. He went on to explain that Flashed had removed all of these from their chalk. I have asthma as well and am affected by chalk dust to some degree but would suggest that it could possibly be these additives which are affecting you more so then the actual chalk itself.

I tried climbing for the first time last week and I had problems breathing. At first I believed it was the rigorous physical activity, but as I was going next to some one using chalk it worsened. I found taking one of my inhalers did the trick. If you have an inhaler try that.

Generally not hazardous in normal handling, however good laboratory practices should always be used. Avoid long term exposure to skin or by inhalation. Section 4 First Aid Measures Generally not hazardous in normal handling, however good laboratory practices should always be used. Avoid long term exposure to skin or by inhalation.

FIRST AID: SKIN: Wash exposed area with soap and water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention.

I'm a pulmonologist (lung doctor) and I have looked into this subject in the past. I have never found any real information on magnesium carbonate (most gym chalk) but there is a decent amount of literature concerning particulate matter. Although there is a lot of nasty stuff in smog, the measurement of particulate matter has one of the strongest correlations with exacerbations of asthma and COPD (emphysema/chronic bronchitis). Although the term "particulate matter" encompasses some bioactive substances, experiments with relatively innert substances such as calcium carbonate have also shown a respiratory effect. The science behind the actual mechanism is not completely worked out but inhaling particulate matter such as chalk dust could be expected to result in similar reactions especially in asthmatics. These would include nasal obstruction, increased mucous production and bronchoconstriction. Even non-asthmatics may have some symptoms, although I would expect them to be much less severe. Avoidance would be best but for gym climbers various inhalers may be beneficial. I'd recommend seeing your doctor before just trying other people's inhalers, however. (Alas, there is no escape from disclaimers.)

I'm a pulmonologist (lung doctor) and I have looked into this subject in the past. I have never found any real information on magnesium carbonate (most gym chalk) but there is a decent amount of literature concerning particulate matter. Although there is a lot of nasty stuff in smog, the measurement of particulate matter has one of the strongest correlations with exacerbations of asthma and COPD (emphysema/chronic bronchitis). Although the term "particulate matter" encompasses some bioactive substances, experiments with relatively innert substances such as calcium carbonate have also shown a respiratory effect. The science behind the actual mechanism is not completely worked out but inhaling particulate matter such as chalk dust could be expected to result in similar reactions especially in asthmatics. These would include nasal obstruction, increased mucous production and bronchoconstriction. Even non-asthmatics may have some symptoms, although I would expect them to be much less severe. Avoidance would be best but for gym climbers various inhalers may be beneficial. I'd recommend seeing your doctor before just trying other people's inhalers, however. (Alas, there is no escape from disclaimers.)

I'm a pulmonologist (lung doctor) and I have looked into this subject in the past. I have never found any real information on magnesium carbonate (most gym chalk) but there is a decent amount of literature concerning particulate matter. Although there is a lot of nasty stuff in smog, the measurement of particulate matter has one of the strongest correlations with exacerbations of asthma and COPD (emphysema/chronic bronchitis). Although the term "particulate matter" encompasses some bioactive substances, experiments with relatively innert substances such as calcium carbonate have also shown a respiratory effect. The science behind the actual mechanism is not completely worked out but inhaling particulate matter such as chalk dust could be expected to result in similar reactions especially in asthmatics. These would include nasal obstruction, increased mucous production and bronchoconstriction. Even non-asthmatics may have some symptoms, although I would expect them to be much less severe. Avoidance would be best but for gym climbers various inhalers may be beneficial. I'd recommend seeing your doctor before just trying other people's inhalers, however. (Alas, there is no escape from disclaimers.)

I have had a great deal of experience with chalk. Being a gymnast and now a coach I have used or been around chalk for over 30 years now and have never had or seen anyone have a reaction to chalk. As a coach I have seen kids play in it, eat it, shove someone else's head in it and basically inhale it with no adverse effect. I have know many coaches that have lived into their 80's and even 90's without any problems that could be associated with chalk. I have never seen any evidence that chalk is or has ever been associated with any reaction.

Enter Short Story Here!

About 15 years ago I had a family come to my gym. The parents came in and explained that their son and daughter had Cystic Fibrosis. For those of you that don't know Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder where a build-up of thick mucus makes it difficult to clear bacteria and leads to cycles of infection and inflammation, which damage the delicate lung tissues. They informed me that the condition was fatal and that they were told that their son and daughter would not live to be old enough to drive a car. My first response was "Why bring them into a chalky gym then?" They referred to the doctor that said the chalk would be absorbed into the body and was not harmful to their health. I was skeptical but said ok. Their son, now 27 years old, never had any problems related to the chalk and is now married and starting a family of his own. The daughter, now 25 years old, is a teacher and living a healthy life. Sure they both have their own breathing difficulties but never had it been associated with the inhalation of chalk dust.

You don't actually need an N95 mask to filter out chalk particles. The N95 is used to prevent infections from viruses. Finding a more permeable mask would likely allow you to breath easier and give adequate protection.

[quote "splattum"]Does anyone have real info on this? To my knowledge the worst things for the lungs are very fine particulates. Chalk is calcium carbonate which is soluble in water. I would think that while it may be a mild short term irritant, it would not last long or have serious long-term effects. This is just an idea, I do not have facts, anyone?[/quote]

Climbers chalk is MAGNESIUM carbonate, but that doesn't change the story i.e. that it can be mildly irritating if inhaled. But no surprise there - suppliers tend to be overly conservative (cautious) when writing Safety Data Sheets. Hell, even sugar is listed as an inhalation irritant. (I'm not trivializing this - the respiratory hazards associated with dust exposure can be very relevant to workers loading the stuff into rail cars 8 hr/day)

Chalk is the main reason I now try to toprope or lead in the gym instead of boulder. I wish people were more cognizant of their chalk bags and weren't spilling it everywhere. I have asthma and it triggers a reaction for me. I even once had someone come up to me and tell me that I needed to get checked out for TB. Turns out it's just the chalk.